a 2016 bucket list goal completed

(Originally written on my music blog. I loved it so much I want to share it here too.)

One of my bucket list goals of 2016 was to make a youtube playlist of songs I found personally empowering. I wanted to memorize those songs so I could repeat the lyrics like mantras when I heard the melody in my head. I believe that what you tell yourself in your mind does heavily affect how you see yourself and process your life, so I wanted to give myself some musical tools to battle my own self-destruction. Considering I am a VERY musically-driven soul, I felt this would be a creative and personally empowering way to help rewire what I tell myself.

These are some of my favorite songs from that playlist.

Rise by Selena Gomez

At first, this melody didn’t do anything for me, but I only had to listen to the lyrics to change my mind. I remember riding my bike in the crisp winter night air over the gently rolling hills of the neighborhood park when I first discovered this: it made me feel like I was actually flying! It lifted my spirits as I listened to uplifting emotions and the rhythm made my feet pedal even when my legs were screaming on the fifth, sixth, seventh loop down that hill. This song has become a happy place for me.

Like the air you can Rise from the rubble with your mind, you can hover You can rise like the tide, like the heat it in the summer Yes, I know there are those who will wanna bring you down But you can rise with your mind and make your higher power proud You can rise, like the air you can rise

Rise by Katy Perry

Another song by this title, but wow it’s so powerful in another way. Katy truly gives voices to survivors, to the ones who feel the heaviness of being beaten down yet keep getting up, who continue to try. I really love how dark this song sounds and yet how empowering the words are. One of my favorite combinations in these types of songs.

Oh, ye of so little faith Don’t doubt it, don’t doubt it Victory is in my veins I know it, I know it And I will not negotiate I’ll fight it, I’ll fight it I will transform

Alive by Sia

You will find a lot of Sia on this list. Her songs are some of the rawest and empowering I’ve yet to find. “Alive” is a personal favorite, one that I listened to a lot early last year when I was biking to school. Its steady beat physically drove me to better fitness while the sound of a real fighter was in lyrics and vocal work. “I’m still breathing” followed by the joyful, almost vengeful cry of “I’m alive” seemed stolen right from my heart. This song made me want to keep trying, keep recovering, to keep breathing. The fighter in me who is so happy to just still be alive. “You took it all but I’m still breathing”–that there is my heartbeat. ❤

The Greatest by Sia

In my humble opinion, Sia has some of the best lyrics and musical sound right now in modern music. So much of her music is truly uplifting, while still satisfying my need for the minor key to present in melody, as you can hear in this song. Between the music and the lyrics, this is magic for me emotionally and mentally. I love the positive chants left to echo in my mind. I love how the song is not “I AM the greatest” in a prideful way, but is rather saying “I’m FREE to be the greatest” as in almost giving oneself permission to blossom into something you can’t even comprehend. ❤

Don’t give up, I won’t give up Don’t give up, no no no Don’t give up, I won’t give up Don’t give up, no no no I’m free to be the greatest, I’m alive I’m free to be the greatest here tonight, the greatest The greatest, the greatest alive The greatest, the greatest alive

Unstoppable by Sia

Never tell yourself you’re worthless. Empower yourself instead. While God is the one that gives us the strength to keep fighting, I want to give myself the mental edge in thinking such powerful thoughts as this song gives. ❤

Hold Tight by Madonna

This is a very personal choice of a song. It’s more something I’ve come to rely on after I left my boyfriend behind for the first time in May. I had a lot of fear being so far apart; but one thing I knew: I really loved him and he loved me. I wanted to hold tight to that. For me personally, this song took the words out of my heart for him, and yet also reassured me the more I listened to it. That I recognized my confidence in us and our love for each other. Thousands of miles couldn’t stop it and this song still helps remind and uplift me even now.

A million miles later, we walked through the valley of the darkest nightWe made it through the fire, scarred and we’re bruised but our hearts will guide us.Together, I know our love’s gonna last forever, we’re gonna be alright tonight.We live with no limits, we’ll dance in the middle of a freezing rainWith you and I in it, we’ll survive the eye of a hurricane.Together, we’re gonna make this better, we’re gonna be alright tonight.Hold tight, as long as your by my side.Hold tight, everything’s gonna be alright.Only love, only love tonightLike stars we’re burning so bright,Hold tight everything’s gonna be alright.

Stand By You by Rachel Platten

This song brings me to tears because the words feel ripped right from my heart to all who I call a friend or hold dear, and who hold me dear in return. It’s less a personal mantra on self and more a mantra about how one wants to treat those they love. I heard this a year ago and singing its lyrics have always helped me express how much love and empathy I have in my heart for those around me and it encourages and empowers those feelings.

Hands, put your empty hands in mine And scars, show me all the scars you hide And hey, if your wings are broken Please take mine so yours can open too ‘Cause I’m gonna stand by you Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes And hurt, I know you’re hurting, but so am I And love, if your wings are broken Borrow mine so yours can open too ‘Cause I’m gonna stand by you Even if we’re breaking down, we can find a way to break through

Even if we can’t find heaven, I’ll walk through hell with you Love, you’re not alone, ’cause I’m gonna stand by you Even if we can’t find heaven, I’m gonna stand by you Even if we can’t find heaven, I’ll walk through hell with you Love, you’re not alone, ’cause I’m gonna stand by you

Hall of Fame by The Script

This is actually a long time favorite of mine, so it was less of a “discovery” and more a song I just couldn’t leave off my list. This is the definition of a classic uplifting song, from the major chord to the empowering “you can do it” like chanting. Its almost cheesy, something you’d hear in the climax of a feel-good movie maybe. But hey, we all need a cheesy movie moment, where we’re Rocky Balboa at the top of the stairs feeling like we can do anything. This my song for those moments.

You can throw your hands up You can beat the clock You can move a mountain You can break rocks You can be a master Don’t wait for luck Dedicate yourself and you gon’ find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame (yeah) And the world’s gonna know your name (yeah) ‘Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah) And the world’s gonna know your name (yeah) And you’ll be on the walls of the hall of fame

Just like Fire by P!nk

I had nearly forgotten this song till later into the year when I heard the lyrics on the radio. A family relative recently described memories of child me as “a ball of fire.” And honestly remembering, it’s a great description. As a kid, I had so little that held me back. I lived life loudly, boldly, unafraid to express every bit of emotion and thought in my mind. I was just like fire. Besides maturing since then, I’ve been smothered a lot too, through fear and depression and insecurities of all sorts. But I really want to get back to being like a ball of fire again. So, I’ll keep singing this song to myself to I’m finally who I was made to be. Cause no one can be just like me anyway.

Just like fire, burning out the wayIf I can light the world up for just one dayWatch this madness, colorful charadeNo one can be just like me any wayJust like magic, I’ll be flying freeI’mma disappear when they come for meI kick that ceiling, what you gonna say?No one can be just like me any wayJust like fire, uh

Before I end this, I just want to pose a question for everyone to think about quietly to themselves: What are the words and lyrics you allow into your head and why? I don’t think there’s a wrong answer to that question. I just think it’s a great question. ❤

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6 thoughts on “a 2016 bucket list goal completed”

This are some REALLY good lyrics, Jamie. Music has been especially powerful for me lately too, reminding me to take courage, defy the haters, and just live confidently in the skin God gave me. Some of the most-listened-to songs in my own “Empower” playlist have been “Defying Gravity,” “Let It Go,” “I Am Moana,” Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song,” Skillet’s “Lions,” and Steven Curtis Chapman’s “Meant To Be.” Those are the ones I sing at the top of my lungs in the car or at work!

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Meet The Writer:

I’m 5 feet 9 1/2 inches, I can lift 50 pounds, and have incredible stamina; friends and coworkers have referred to me as “Wonder Woman,” “a beast,” and “linebacker.” I love that I’m tougher than I look.

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I do not intend to infringe upon other peoples copyrights of pictures, videos, or films. No pictures are mine unless stated. I'm not responsible for pictures being taken and placed on Pinterest, Facebook, ect. I get most of my photos from Tumblr. Also, I am in no way a part of Lucas Films, Marvel Studios, Walt Disney, Pixar, ect. I'm simply a die-hard fangirl.